Capitol Comments

Last week I had a response to my newsletter with a comment that my reporting of events at the Capitol may be partisan. I listened to this view and understand how my accounts may tend to be more reflective of my Democratic values. I will henceforth, keep this concern in mind. 

As always, I will continue to strive for bipartisan work in the House knowing that the experience and expertise here thrives in both parties. Not including an entire group of lawmakers creates a troublesome …

Capitol Comments
EDUCATION

After the House and Senate approved differing plans on education this session, we’ve sent them both to a conference committee that will work to find consensus on a single plan that can pass both chambers and get the Governor’s signature. It’s a step in the right direction and I’m optimistic we will find common ground, but time is of the essence.

That’s because the bill also includes the critical school funding piece for the upcoming school year, called “allowable growth”. I have strongly support 4% …

Capitol Comments
Expanding Access to Affordable Health Care

The Iowa Senate just approved a bill to expand Medicaid to Iowans who don’t have private insurance. The plan would extend health coverage to about 150,000 Iowans so they are able to access preventative care, hospital services, and other health care services in their own communities. In a step toward compromise with the Governor, the Senate also included a provision that allows Iowa to opt-out of the Medicaid expansion if the federal government does not keep their promise on …

Capitol Comments
Public Forums

Legislator Listening Posts with Representative Art Staed 

Saturday, March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area.
at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saturday March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area
at 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

State Budget Moves

With approximately six weeks left in the legislative session, we are working in both the House and the Senate crafting the state budget. We’ve recently seen blueprints from each of the seven budget subcommittees that will make up the state’s total budget.

Right now, …

Capitol Comments
Public Forums

League of Women Voters Legislative Forum
10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Hallagan Education Center at Mercy Medical Center
701 10th St., Cedar Rapids, IA

Legislator Listening Posts with Representative Art Staed

Saturday, March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area.
at 9-10:00am
3235 Oakland Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saturday March 30th at
HyVee in the food service area
at 10:30-11:30am
5050 Edgewood Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Updates from the Iowa House

We’re now just over half way through the legislative session and we’re spending more time on the House floor …

Capitol Comments

Dear Neighbor,

This week marked the halfway point of the Legislative session. With the Legislature’s first self-imposed “funnel” deadline this Friday, it has been one of the busier weeks of the session. Subcommittee and committee meetings were held throughout each day – narrowing the number of bills still eligible for debate. Bills that weren’t approved by a House or Senate Committee this week are now “dead” for the year unless they are budget or tax bills.

It is good news that many of the divisive issue …

Capitol Comments

This week I wanted to keep my communication squarely focused on this week’s most important topic, Medicaid Expansion. In addition, I wanted to share the positive data on Iowa preschool programs found in research by Early Childhood Iowa.

Below is a compilation of information on Medicaid and IowaCare from our Democratic research analysts at the Capitol:

Branstad Continues Opposition to Affordable Health Care

After a meeting in Washington D.C. earlier this week with federal officials, Governor Branstad is still opposed to an expansion of affordable health care …

Capitol Comments
Scaled Back Education Reform Bill Passes House

Most of my week was focused, rightly, on Education Reform and we are in recess until Monday because of the impending storm. Consequently, my comments are shorter than usual:

The Iowa House approved a scaled back version of the Governor’s education reform bill this week after a non-partisan analysis of the plan found the Governor didn’t provide enough money for implementation in over 60% of Iowa schools.

To deal with the shortfall, the House majority party lowered beginning teacher salaries …

Capitol Comments
EDUCATION REFORM

We all agree that our Education system in Iowa can be improved. We differ on how we best accomplish this. There are many areas where we can work together with Republicans and the Governor to reach compromise and good Legislation. And, any education reform plan must be thoughtful, researched, and designed to improve learning for all students. The Governor’s plan and the new scaled-back version from House Republicans both fall well short of these goals. The Democrats in the House Education Committee fought …